Laurence Sterne was born on November 24, 1713, in Clonmel, Ireland, to a military family, leading to a childhood of frequent relocations. He later studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, earning degrees in 1737 and 1740 before becoming an ordained priest. With the help of his influential uncle, he secured a clerical position in Yorkshire.In 1741, Sterne married Elizabeth Lumley, though their relationship was troubled, partly due to her mental health struggles. He initially engaged in political writing but abandoned it after facing criticism. His first satirical work, A Political Romance (1759), was banned and burned by church authorities.That same year, he published The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, which gained immediate fame for its unconventional style. He continued writing until his health deteriorated due to tuberculosis, publishing A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy in 1768. Sterne died on March 18, 1768, in London, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced modern narrative techniques.
